William h



UNITEIJ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. TOWERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

v CLOTHES-PIN.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,503, dated .Tune 21, 1859.

a side elevation of ditto, with the prongs distended to the position they are usually brought before being attached to the line.

Similar letters in the figures refer to corresponding parts.

This invention consists in forming the clamp in two parts and jointing them together at one end, in such a manner as to enable their opposite pronged ends to be opened from each other before being applied to the line, and when closed upon the same, to clamp the clothes securely in their place. The two parts A, of the clamp may be made of any suitable material, and are so formed as to somewhat resemble, when brought together and parallel with each other, the ordinary clothes pin, their lower parts next each other being slightly rounded and tapered so as to form a corresponding slit or space between them, while their upper surfaces next each other, are made fiat, so as to enable them to be brought flush together and to turn past each other. The upper ends of the pieces A, are secured firmly together by a pin or rivet B, having suitable washers or heads at either end, and upon this pin or rivet B, both or either of said parts A, may be freely moved so as to bring their tapered prongs nearer to, or farther from each other as occasion may reuire.

When it is desired to apply this improved clamp to the line, the prongs are slightly turned from each other to the position represented in Fig. 3, so as to enable them to be placed astraddle the line and clothes to be secured thereon. `When in this position the simple act of moving the said prongs on their joint pin or rivet B, toward each other, causes them to firmly bind and embrace the clot-hes and line between them with the required degree of force to prfevent their displacement except by the act of opening and unclamping the prongs.

The lower or prong portion of the parts A, may be made so as to have a slight degree of elasticity, if desired.

I/Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The before described improved article of manufacture, to'wit, a clothes clamp formed of two parts A, jointed together at their upper ends, substantially as set forth.

WM. H. TOWERS. [L. s.]`

Vitnesses:

E. MAHER, JASON J. PALMER. 

